• PLEASE NOTE - the TEAS facebook page has been hacked, take extreme care when visiting the page, for further information visit here
  • Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Help With Poorly Louie - Anorexia And Poorly Breathing Persisting After Ab Course

Status
Not open for further replies.

Princessnaty83

New Born Pup
Joined
Feb 3, 2015
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Points
35
Hi all, Louie is a 6 year old male who has been poorly for over a week now. He has had antibiotics but continued to not eat or drink, he isn't squeaking but is making a wheezing noise like he can't breathe. He is impacted with mucous poop which I am helping him evacuate. He is miserable and doesn't leave his house. Any ideas? I've got another appointment at vets Tomo.
 
Hi and welcome!

Could you please add your country, state or (for the UK) to your details, as we are dealing with members from all over the world and would like to be able to adapt our advice to what is available/possible to you.

Has your vet seen Louie since the original presciption? Has he been checked for fluid in his lungs or in the chest cavity (in which case he'll need a diuretic)? Has his heart been checked? What meds has he been on?

Are you hand feeding and watering him? Mucousy poop is often a sign of dehyration; Louie may also suffer from impaction, which is not rare in older piggies but may have become more noticeable as he is weaker. He may need subcutane fluids as an emergency measure.
Please have him seen by a vet again, ideally by a specialist. We have got a piggy savvy UK vet locator on our top bar.

Please place a bowl of steaming water next to cage; if you can, add a couple of drops of olbas oil (please do not add vicks) to see whether that can hel ease the breathing until you can have him seen. Please weigh him daily to check his food intake; just watching can be deceptive.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/
 
Hi, we are in the uk. He was prescribed meds for a uri. Though I would say there is a lump in his neck area. He had lost a little weight and his fur seems all pricked up. I have been syringe feeding him. His urine is a dark colour and smells very pungent. He had his lungs checked and heart with no issues.
 
He sounds like his dehydrated. Please have the lump checked; it can be a range of things that only a vet can diagnose, as it may need a biopsy. The fluffed up fur is a sign of pain/illness. :(

Here is our vet locator. You can add your location by clicking on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. That will make it a lot easier for us to adapt any advice and recommendations to what is relevant for you.
 
Your piggie is ill.

It sounds like he has a bacterial respiratory infecton and the vet has prescribed antibiotics. It will take at least 48hours for them to start making a difference but in the meantime he is very poorly. and needs your active support.

Concentrated urine etc are all SECONDARY signs for a poorly piggie.
He will need supportive care from you.
So.....
Weigh him daily.
Syringe feed 30ml every 4 hours of liquidised pelletes (or cirtical care). Make sure he is also getting fluids. (drinking from a bowl if not from a water bottle)
Get your vet too prescrirbe gut stimulants (zantac/emeprid/cisapride) for his current condition if he is not pooing properly
If his breathing is bad/fluidy - then diuretics (frusemaide/frussol) also need to be prescribed

This is an acute situation - you need a really good cavy-savvy vet.....Whereabouts are you in the UK?
 
Hi all, Louie has been at the vets this morning and it's not good. He has a tumour in his neck restricting his breathing. I have to make a decision x
 
BIG HUGS

Oh no! I am so very sorry; that is the kind of diagnosis none of us wants to hear! I'd been so hoping that the lump wasn't anything too nasty. :(

Whatever you decide, I am sure that you will do so with Louie's wellbeing and quality of life upmost in mind. There is no right or wrong in a situation like this. Everybody has their own line and feelings, and we all make our individual decisions based on our love to our piggies.

Did your vet give you a painkiller for Louie to make him more comfy in himself while you consider where to go from here?
 
Hi, yes he is sedated and comfortable for now. I know I have to do what's best for Louie but I just wasn't prepared for what the vet said today. He's been my little pal for so long. thanks everyone for the advice and help.
 
It takes time to take it all in and work it through when you are not braced for the worst news possible.

Letting a beloved pet go is one of the hardest things you can do, especially when you have had him for so long and have such a close bond. Sometimes it is sadly the only gift left that you can give a beloved pet. :(
It is always a very tricky balance to strike between your own emotional needs, your piggy's discomfort/chances of recovery and often the quickly mounting vet cost in these extreme circumstances, as you are often forced to make a decision before you are ready for it. But any decision as well as the timing has to feel right for you so you can live with it in the long term, past the inevitable feelings of guilt and doubt that are characteristic for the onset of the grieving process. When it all depends on you and it is not absolutely clear cut, it is even more difficult. It is a bit easier (but no less heart-breaking) when your hand is forced and it is clearly the only choice you can make in view of your piggy's very obvious pain and suffering. And, speaking from experience, it never gets any easier or less gutting, as each bond is unique. :(
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top